Fastest Girl in the World

AIG stands for arrogance, incompetence and greed and I’m still seething like a mad dog over these bonuses. But I’ve squandered far too time on indignation today. First the hearings, then the pundits, then the Obama rally, then blogs, op/eds and more teeth grinding. I feel an ulcer coming on and yours truly is without health insurance so I better cool my temperature.

It’s back to work as usual but let me bring you up to speed with what went on over the weekend. Fun times in Lake Placid for sure. Got a call from a post house looking to hire PilotGirl to shoot the last Luge competition(s) on Friday and Saturday. Was I avail? Of course I was!

I grabbed my Goretex and tore up the Northway hoping for sunny bright skies the next day. The company put me up in a charming room plush with Adirondack furniture, a fireplace and free wifi. 5 hours later, just at the break of dawn, the crew and I wiped the sleep from our eyes and hurled our gear over our shoulders.

Friday marked my first time shooting a Norton U.S. National Luge Championship. This was a big deal because 24 year-old Erin Hamlin was racing. The Remsen, NY native shocked Germany and the rest of the world by becoming the first non-German to win a luge World Championship title on Feb. 6. Hamlin was crowned number one in the U.S. and sixth in the world that day. This past weekend races were nothing to get nervous about but, still, as they say, it’s harder to stay on top than reach the top.

Of course she came in first during all 4 runs.

It’s no surprise that Erin and all the girls (and guys) who compete in Luge are some of the most fearless and dedicated competitors around. Donning nothing but a skin tight jump suit, a helmet and a 50 pound sled and then hurling yourself down an icy slope is… well, crazy.

But, Luge takes on a whole new perspective looking through the eyes of Erin. Her calves and body frame are built to steer herself through hair pin curves and tight chutes at speeds of up to 85-90 miles an hour. She has the temperament to keep herself focused and concentrated on the finish line. In fact, all the girls waiting their turn had nerves of steel, sweating only when polishing up their blades.

Erin now carries the title of US World Champion to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and I sure hope I’ll be called on again to document her next record.

Sonja Stark

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